A coin is traditionally hidden in Greece's New Year's cake, vasilopita, to bring luck to the finder.
Vasilopita is served around New Year's Day and is named for Saint Basil, or Agios Vasilios, whose feast is celebrated in Greece on January 1. Before the cake is cut, a coin is concealed inside or beneath it. The person who receives the slice containing the coin is traditionally said to have good luck for the coming year.
The cake is often cut in a formal order. A household may reserve the first slice for Christ, Saint Basil, or the home before serving family members and guests. Customs differ by region and family, so the exact order is not universal. Some communities also prepare vasilopita for workplaces, clubs, or other groups.
Vasilopita is not one fixed recipe. It may resemble a sweet bread, a citrus-flavored cake, or another regional baked dish. The coin is the defining New Year's feature, and careful preparation is important so that it is not swallowed accidentally.